On the banks of the Falgu River in Gaya, in the Devaghat area, an unusual sight is observed: besides local residents performing pindandana for their ancestors, foreign pilgrims from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany are arriving. These devotees conduct pindandana and tarpana rituals in accordance with Vedic traditions.
During the Pitr Paksha fair, the flow of pilgrims from various parts of the country and the world continues. On the banks of the Falgu River, near the Vishnu Pad temple, many foreign pilgrims have performed pindandana and tarpana, striving to ensure peace of mind and liberation for their deceased ancestors.
The presence of foreign pilgrims has attracted attention. People from different cultures and countries received assistance from local priests to complete the pindandana and tarpana rites. Alisa Jandra from Ukraine shared that she was impressed by Hinduism and came to Gaya to pray for the liberation of her ancestors.
According to Alisa, performing this ritual in Gaya was a special experience for her, as Gaya is considered an important religious place for pindandana and tarpana. During Pitr Paksha, a large number of people from different regions of the country gather here, and this year among them are also foreign citizens. People from Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany performed pindandana on the banks of the Falgu River in Devaghat.
Priest Loknat Gaud, who conducted the ceremonies for the foreign pilgrims, reported that people arrived from different countries. He noted that some of them are interested in understanding Hindu traditions. These pilgrims expressed a desire to perform pindandana based on the belief in the salvation and peace of mind of their ancestors, after which they were administered the pindandana and tarpana procedure according to Vedic customs.
Due to the presence of foreign pilgrims, the district administration took measures to ensure safety in Devaghat. Since a huge number of pilgrims gather in Gaya during the Pitr Paksha fair, the authorities organized a system to maintain order at the ghats and in major religious sites.
Some pilgrims remembered their ancestors, having come from Russia, while others came from Ukraine, and pilgrims from Italy and Germany also performed the same religious rites on the banks of the Falgu River. Photographs of Devaghat emphasize that people from different countries have become part of one religious tradition. Foreign pilgrims performed pindandana and tarpana under the guidance of local priests. Now, international pilgrims also participate in the religious ceremonies held in Gaya during Pitr Paksha, making pindandana for the peace and liberation of ancestors an important part of their journey.
